| | The "master race" theory was developed by French author [[Joseph Arthur de Gobineau]] in ''Essay on the Inequality of the Human Races'' (1853–1855). Gobineau argued that the Aryan race was the basis of European aristocracy. In French politics, Gobineau was a Legitimist and supported the rights of the aristocracy. | | The "master race" theory was developed by French author [[Joseph Arthur de Gobineau]] in ''Essay on the Inequality of the Human Races'' (1853–1855). Gobineau argued that the Aryan race was the basis of European aristocracy. In French politics, Gobineau was a Legitimist and supported the rights of the aristocracy. |
| − | While Gobineau argued that Aryans were in decline due to race mixing, Houston Chamberlain (1855–1927) saw a bright future for "Germanic Aryans." For Chamberlain, the term Aryan referred to the Indo-European language family. He was an admirer of Germany and wrote in German. His book ''The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century'' (1899) remained popular with German readers for decades. "Even if it were proved that there had never been an Aryan race in the past, we are determined that there shall be one in the future; this is the decisive point of view for men of action," Chamberlain wrote.<ref>"[https://biography.yourdictionary.com/houston-stewart-chamberlain Houston Stewart Chamberlain]"</ref> Chamberlain has been described as "Hitler's John the Baptist."<ref>Forman, James D. (1978) Nazism, New York. p.14</ref> | + | While Gobineau argued that Aryans were in decline due to race mixing, Houston Stewart Chamberlain (1855–1927) saw a bright future for "Germanic Aryans." For Chamberlain, the term Aryan referred to the Indo-European language family. Chamberlain, an Englishman, was an admirer of Germany and wrote in German. His book ''The Foundations of the Nineteenth Century'' (1899) remained popular with German readers for decades. "Even if it were proved that there had never been an Aryan race in the past, we are determined that there shall be one in the future; this is the decisive point of view for men of action," Chamberlain wrote.<ref>"[https://biography.yourdictionary.com/houston-stewart-chamberlain Houston Stewart Chamberlain]"</ref> Chamberlain has been described as "Hitler's John the Baptist."<ref>Forman, James D. (1978) Nazism, New York. p.14</ref> |
| | In ''The Myth of the Twentieth Century'' (1930), Nazi theorist Alfred Rosenberg developed a racial "ladder" with blacks and Jews at the bottom and "Nordics" at the top. Rosenberg's Nordics correspond to Germanic peoples in modern terminology. Rosenberg led the Nazi Party when Hitler was jailed after the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. | | In ''The Myth of the Twentieth Century'' (1930), Nazi theorist Alfred Rosenberg developed a racial "ladder" with blacks and Jews at the bottom and "Nordics" at the top. Rosenberg's Nordics correspond to Germanic peoples in modern terminology. Rosenberg led the Nazi Party when Hitler was jailed after the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. |